goggles on barrel bag off diving back into the snake :)

hello everyone of pbnation!
I use to play on and off for a few years when I was in highschool. Now that I have a career I can afford to jump back in.
But I have a few questions as its been about 8 years sense I last played and technology has greatly changed.
I was wondering if you all thought buying a new med-end marker would be better or a used high-end. Im looking at around 500-800. I do not have a preference on poppet vs spool nor do I have a favorite brand. I would like a reliable marker because I work in korea and parts are scarce and shipping can be pricey or get stopped in customs lol.

if at all possible i would hold the axe and see if you like it. I personally dont like the feel of them.

I agree with ya on the feel of Axe. I own 3 of them and I just don't like the feel at all, I even prefer the Mini over it. Something to consider also isthe feel of a poppit vs a spoolie. I prefer poppit most days because I like the response of every trigger pull but its not for everyone.

I would also try the following new guns: Dye Reflex Rail, MacDev Drone (parts may be an issue based on your situation, PE Etek4. Personally I would get a used gun like a BL G6R 2012, Dye DM8 or higher, PE Ego 9 or higher (600-700 range). If you get a better gun now, you don't feel so compelled to upgrade so soon and feel outgunned shooting a mid range gun.

The most important gear is the mask for sure (I like the E-Flex), a bad mask ruins the whole day. Also consider a Prohecy Z2 hopper or Pinikio if you on a budget. Before you buy a tank (prefer Ninja with shims), get the marker you want so you know if it needs to be SLP, LP or HP so you don't have to purchase two tank.

Ive been using small guns like the mini and I just picked up the Etek 3 and it really does make a difference for me for how much more space you have for you hands. As for hoppers, I can vouch for Pinokio because they have great customer service (lifetime warranty) and are cheap and extremely reliable. Im thinking about getting a Z2 hopper as well though since my friends' rotors jam all the time on them. But the mask and hopper in my opinion are the most important parts. Oh, and for masks, I have a Grillz since I have a bigger jaw line, but I also use an Events sometimes. Between Events, I4's, Grillz, Profilers, Profits, and eflexes or flexes, its really just personal preference on price range and fit.

If you need a gun that just works, PE is the way to go. I wouldn't go with and ego 7 or 8 because they have a qev issue which would necessitate a spare qev, and as you said parts are scarce. But an Ego 9, etha, or etek would all be bulletproof reliable. Another very good used highend would be a Bob Long Vice, they go for 350-400 with no ups. The mask is probably the most important investment you can make. The reflex rail is a very good spool valve marker, and I have seen DMs from 2011 go for as low as 550. All of these would be good choices.

I also recommend the Alien. But I would definitely get a nice used high-end over a new mid-range. If you want a marker that will be extremely reliable look for a nice Planet Eclipse Etek or Ego. You don't really have to do anything to those markers to keep them in top shape. I would also recommend an Empire Prophecy Z2 loader instead of the Dye Rotor. I have had a lot less problems with the Z2 than I had with my Rotor. And as others have stated, your first and most important purchase should be a good mask. You should spend at least $50 on this.

If reliability is number one priority which it should be. Go for something from PE. The guns shoot nice and are probably the most reliable high ends.
Go with a used z2, you can find them cheaper and i hated my rotor cause it was always jamming

If reliability is number one priority which it should be. Go for something from PE. The guns shoot nice and are probably the most reliable high ends.
Go with a used z2, you can find them cheaper and i hated my rotor cause it was always jamming

Thank you all for all of your great tips
I was actually extremely lucky last week and a fellow soldier stationed in South Korea with me was looking for some quick cash for a plane ticket home and I got a like new ego 11 shiner with a pooty bolt and shaft4 kit for 650. Im looking into getting the a used or new sly profit mask because from reviews I have read they work well with glasses but the I4s do not.

Thank you all for all of your great tips
I was actually extremely lucky last week and a fellow soldier stationed in South Korea with me was looking for some quick cash for a plane ticket home and I got a like new ego 11 shiner with a pooty bolt and shaft4 kit for 650. Im looking into getting the a used or new sly profit mask because from reviews I have read they work well with glasses but the I4s do not.

Any advice on what masks work best with glasses?

Any mask you get, always try it on first. You can wear glasses with most masks but it depends on your face/head and the glasses.

Unless you are really strapped for cash I would recommend buying the mask new. If you take care of it you'll have it longer than most other equipment. Unless you know the person who has spent hours sweating in it.

I have a dye i3 and like it but the lens is very difficult to change; the i4 looks like it has the same attachment. I tried on the i4 and my chin stuck out the bottom and didn't buy it. i have limited experience and alot of it is personal preference but I am just telling you my experience. I also have a V-Force Profiler Anti-Fog Mask that I like, the field of view is not as wide as the dye i3 but it's good enough for me, and the lens is very easy to remove.

I wear glasses but have multiple sets of contacts that I use exclusively for paintball.

__________________..
.I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Mask: Vforce profiler. I have one, lots of room for glasses, I used to wear sunglasses underneath them for tourneys before I got my mirror lense. The lense us kind of a bubble, so there is lots of room. Get a rotor, or a pinokio. I tried the Z2 and basically had to feed it with the rip drive.